The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of An Lingrong: Counterattack to Become the Queen Mother

An Lingrong pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "Bao Que, you little girl, your words are getting sweeter and sweeter."

Bao Que chuckled, "Your Majesty, what this servant said is all true. By the way, Your Majesty, I heard that the imperial kitchen got some fresh fruits and vegetables today, all shipped in at full speed from Jiangnan."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Oh? That must be extremely fresh and delicious. Baoque, go and take a look. If you can get some, we can try some too."

Baoque responded and ran off happily. Not long after, she returned with a plate of fruits and vegetables: fresh cucumbers, juicy peaches, and sparkling grapes.

An Lingrong picked up a cucumber, took a bite, and praised, "This cucumber is crisp and delicious, and it's really fresh. Baoque, you should try it too."

Bao Que waved her hands hurriedly: "My Lady, this is for you. I dare not."

An Lingrong scolded, "Just eat when I tell you to. Why are there so many rules?"

Bao Que then carefully took it, took a small bite, and said with a smile: "My Lady, it's really sweet."

As she was speaking, Jin Xi, who was beside Zhen Huan, came over, bowed and said, "Empress An Lingrong, my queen heard that new fruits and vegetables have arrived in the imperial kitchen. She thought you might like them, so she specially asked me to bring some over." As she spoke, the little palace maid behind her brought over some exquisite fruit and vegetable snacks.

An Lingrong stood up and said with a smile, "Huan'er is always so considerate. Please invite Sister Jinxi in."

Jin Xi walked into the house and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, my queen also said that if you are free, you can go to her palace to taste the fruits and vegetables from the south of the Yangtze River together, and talk about the poems you have read recently."

An Lingrong said happily, "Okay, that's exactly what I was thinking. Baoque, help me clean up."

When An Lingrong arrived at Zhen Huan's palace, Zhen Huan had already set up tables and chairs in the courtyard, with all kinds of fruits, vegetables and snacks on the tables.

Zhen Huan smiled and stood up to greet her. "Lingrong, you're here. Come and try these snacks made with fresh fruits and vegetables. They taste really special."

An Lingrong sat down, picked up a piece of pastry, tasted it, and nodded, "Huan'er, this pastry melts in your mouth. The fragrance of fruits and vegetables blends perfectly with the sweetness of the pastry. It's truly wonderful."

Zhen Huan also picked up a piece and said as she ate, "I think it's delicious too. I've read a few new poems lately, one of which describes the water towns of the south of the Yangtze River. The artistic conception is extremely beautiful. Lingrong, would you like to listen to it?"

An Lingrong put down the snack and said attentively, "Huan'er, read it quickly and listen to it."

Zhen Huan cleared her throat and recited, "Lotus can be picked in the south of the Yangtze River. The lotus leaves are so lush and green. Fish play among the lotus leaves. Fish play on the lotus leaves in the east, fish play on the lotus leaves in the west, fish play on the lotus leaves in the south, fish play on the lotus leaves in the north."

An Lingrong closed her eyes and imagined the scenes in the poem. She sighed, "Huan'er, this poem seems to transport me to the water towns south of the Yangtze River, full of spirit and comfort."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Yes, when I read this poem, I thought how wonderful it would be if I could go to Jiangnan in person."

An Lingrong's eyes were filled with longing: "If there is a chance, we must go together."

At this time, Chun Changzai came in skipping and jumping, holding a kite in her hand: "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, look at the kite I made, is it beautiful?"

Zhen Huan smiled and pulled Concubine Chun over. "Chun'er, your kite is so beautiful. Do you want to fly it?"

Chun Changzai nodded: "Yes, sisters, come with me to release it."

An Lingrong looked at the kite and became interested: "Okay, let's go fly a kite. It's also a way to enjoy the beautiful spring scenery."

The three of them brought the palace maids to an open area in the imperial garden. Chun Changzai ran ahead with a kite, shouting as she ran, "Sisters, look how high my kite flies!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong watched from behind with smiles on their faces.

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, seeing Chun'er so carefree is truly a joy."

An Lingrong replied, "Yes, I hope Chun'er can always be like this."

After flying the kite for a while, An Lingrong suddenly had an idea and said, "Huan'er, let's make a kite too and paint our favorite patterns on it."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "This is a very good idea."

So, the two men ordered the palace maids to bring paper, pen and materials for making kites, and started making them.

An Lingrong picked up the paintbrush, thought for a moment, and painted a blooming lotus on the kite, with a few patterns of incense next to it.

Zhen Huan looked at it and smiled, "Lingrong, your kite is very ingeniously drawn. The lotus and the incense are in line with your style."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, your painting must be pretty good too."

Zhen Huan painted a few flying birds and a red sun on the kite, the colors were bright and lifelike.

After the kite was made, the two flew it and watched the kite they made with their own hands soaring in the sky, their hearts filled with a sense of accomplishment.

An Lingrong looked at the kite in the sky and said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, I am really happy today. It seems that all our troubles have left us far away."

Zhen Huan nodded: "Yes, moments like this are the most precious. I only hope they can come more often in the future."

As the sun set, the three returned to the palace, filled with joy and exhaustion. An Lingrong returned to her own palace, sat on the couch, and said to Baoque, "It's been such a joy to be with Huan'er and Chun'er today. Baoque, please save some of today's fruit and vegetable snacks and send them to Huan'er tomorrow."

Bao Que smiled and said, "Yes, Your Majesty. The friendship between Your Majesty and Empress Zhen Huan is truly enviable."

In the palace, Zhen Huan also said to Jin Xi, "Playing with Ling Rong and Chun Er today was like returning to my childhood, without the disputes and calculations of the harem."

Jin Xi smiled and said, "Your Majesty, although days like this are rare, they are better than nothing."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly: "I hope I can have more leisure time like this in the future."